Richmond families getting free solar systems with help from veterans

RICHMOND, Calif. (KGO) -- In Richmond 80 low income families will get solar energy this year at no cost with a little help from Bay Area veterans.

A group of military veterans from Bay Area Brave installed new solar panels on Mel Jackson's home. Jackson is also a vet who served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

The volunteers are getting on the job training-for future careers as solar panel installers.

Jackson is grateful he qualified for the help.

"As you can see we get plenty of sunlight here, so it will save us quite a bit," Jackson said.

He's expected to save $40,000 dollars in power bills throughout the life of the system.

An Oakland non-profit called Grid Solar makes the system.